University of Southern California (USC) Dornsife Public Exchange and USC School of Architecture are teaming up to launch a student design competition to tackle extreme heat in Los Angeles. The Shade Zone Design Competition series will run annually through 2027, with the first competition inviting students to design innovative, modular, temporary shade systems for public places.
The competition, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), challenges students to transform everyday public spaces into cooler, safer, and more inviting environments. Students are asked to consider the quality of shade, modularity, accessibility, innovation, sustainability, and feasibility of installation, as well as the legacy of the structure after major events.
Brett Steele, Dean of the USC School of Architecture, said, “This is an opportunity for students to see their ideas come to life โ not just in renderings, but in the real world. Through this collaboration, weโre giving young designers a platform to tackle our urban heat challenges with creativity, responsibility and community impact in mind.”
Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer at Metro, said, “Metro is proud to serve as a partner in ShadeLA and support this innovative design competition. This design competition aims to inspire creative, scalable solutions that help ensure everyone in Los Angeles County can travel safely and comfortably through our system and across the region.”
Competition Details:
– Open to undergraduate and graduate students in the Greater Los Angeles region
– Submissions accepted through October 15
– A jury will select finalists for public exhibition
– Winning designs could be showcased at Metro stations and other public spaces
